feel Hear it!

feel Definition

feel (fēl)

transitive verb felt, feel·ing

  1. to touch or handle in order to become aware of; examine or test by touching or handling
  2. to perceive or be aware of through physical sensation to feel rain on the face
    1. to experience (an emotion or condition) to feel joy, pain, etc.
    2. to be moved by or very sensitive to to feel death keenly
  3. to be aware of through intellectual perception to feel the weight of an argument
  4. to think or believe, often for unanalyzed or emotional reasons he feels that we should go

Etymology: ME felen < OE felan, akin to Ger fühlen & L palpare, to stroke < ? IE base *pel-, to fly, flutter, cause to tremble > OE fīfealde, Ger falter, butterfly

intransitive verb

  1. to have physical sensation; be sentient
  2. to appear to be to the senses, esp. to the sense of touch the water feels warm
  3. to have the indicated emotional effect it feels good to be wanted
  4. to try to find something by touching; grope (for)
  5. to be or be aware of being to feel sad, sick, certain, etc.
  6. to be moved to sympathy, pity, etc. (for)

noun

  1. the act of feeling; perception by the senses
  2. the sense of touch
  3. the nature of a thing as perceived through touch the feel of wet sawdust
  4. an emotional sensation or effect the feel of happiness
  5. instinctive ability or appreciation a feel for design

feel Idioms

feel like

Informal to have an inclination or desire for I feel like some ice cream

feel (like) oneself

to feel normally healthy, fit, etc.

feel one's way

to move or advance cautiously, by or as if by groping

feel out

to find out the opinions or attitude of by a cautious and indirect approach

feel strongly about

to have decided opinions concerning

feel up

Slang to fondle sexually: a mildly vulgar usage

feel up to

Informal to feel capable of

feel Synonyms

feel

n.

feel Synonyms

feel

v.

  1. To examine by touch

    touch, handle, finger, explore, stroke, palm, caress, manipulate, press, squeeze, fondle, tickle, paw, feel for, fumble, grope, grasp, grapple, grip, clutch, clasp, run the fingers over, brush, pinch, poke, probe, prod, palpate, twiddle, contact, fiddle with*.

  2. To experience

    sense, perceive, apprehend, be aware of, be conscious of, observe, be moved by, respond, be sensible of, welcome, know, intuit, be affected by, be sensitive to, have the experience of, undergo, go through, taste, take to heart.

    Antonyms ignore*, be insensitive to, be unaware of.

  3. To believe

    consider, hold, sense, think; see assume 1, believe 1.

  4. To give an impression through touch

    appear, exhibit, suggest; see seem.

feel Usage Examples

Object

  • bit: But last week he said: " I suppose I feel a bit easier now than I did then.
  • pain: Too many peeps have purchased the XC styles to save weight and felt the pain, with out the gain.
  • sense: They would certainly feel a deep sense of responsibility.
  • need: They feel the need for a complete change of leadership.
  • sympathy: You couldn't feel any sympathy at all toward the character anymore.
  • pressure: Time Challenge Puzzles You'll really feel the pressure with these exciting timed puzzles.

Preposition: at

home: Any new parents would be especially made to feel at home!

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • guilty: I feel a bit guilty, what with some of you traveling 600 odd miles and me traveling 10 minutes.
  • conscious: Actually thatfs a lie, but I did feel self conscious whilst flailing limbs at people.

Adjective modifier

  • airy: Internally the church has a wonderfully light and airy feel, helped greatly by the glazed ridge to its roof.
  • authentic: The lounge and dining areas are well furnished with local items giving an authentic feel.
  • contemporary: The Students ' Union decided to give the venue a simple, warm, contemporary feel.

Adjective complement

  • confident: DEVELOPMENT: Leader: Does anyone feel confident enough to tell me what this word means?
  • comfortable: We desire an indoor climate in which we feel comfortable - warm enough in winter, cool in summer.
  • free: Please feel free to contact us on the details below.
  • guilty: George Johnson said: " Steven does not feel guilty about taking this money.
  • safe: People should feel safe from attack, in their own homes, at school, on the street, or at their workplace.
  • sick: Do not cheat You will feel sick about it.

Used with why or when

  • when: Or we may be overwhelmed by how vast and free life suddenly feels when our minds are not on the hunt.
  • that: I feel that is still true of many connected with the cathedral.

Browse dictionary entries near feel

  1. feedstock
  2. feedlot
  3. feeding frenzy
  4. feeder cattle
  5. feeder
  6. feedback
  7. feed ratio
  8. feed on
  9. feed bag
  10. feed
  1. feel-good
  2. feeler
  3. feeling
  4. feet
  5. feeze
  6. feh
  7. Fehling's solution
  8. feign
  9. feigned
  10. feijoada